Where: Midtown, New York City Style: Russian Wonderland Tea Selection: 6 bagged teas by Harney & Sons Teatimes: Daily 2-4:30 Reservations: 24-hour notice; *For parties of 7 or more, 48-hour notice with a non-refundable $50 per-person deposit Contact:Online or 212-581-7100 Cost: $115 Royal Afternoon Tea with Champagne; $90 Royal Afternoon Tea; $35 Children’s Tea Destination Tea Tips: Dress is business casual and bring cash for tips if you plan to check a coat.
Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our NYC afternoon tea directory for the latest details.
Destination Tea Notes: By 1927 — when members of the Russian Imperial Ballet founded the Russian Tea Room (RTR) — the tea room craze was in full swing in Manhattan, home to hundreds of tea rooms by the late ’20s. One step inside the Russian Tea Room explains instantly how it has outlasted many of its contemporaries and held its iconic status well into the 21st century. If your first glimpse of the sumptuously saturated greens, reds and curling booths of the main dining room does not sufficiently impress you, the Bear Lounge where afternoon tea is served should do the trick. You are in a fairyland with colored mirrors, a golden tree that grows glowing glass eggs and a circus bear who is more than what he seems, slowly twirling as he juggles. While we enjoyed the fare, which features some Russian specialties, the true star of this experience is the tea room itself.
Main dining room
The giant bear who confirms your arrival in the Bear Lounge is actually a slowly rotating aquarium.
Magical forest
Dazzling mirrored walls
Our table awaits.
Tea Service
The traditional Russian samovar (urn for serving tea) graces the menu cover.
From a small range of well-known teas, we chose Mint Verbena and Formosa Oolong and enjoyed their delicate flavors.
A tray of sweeteners invites you to try “cherry varenya” (whole cherries soaked in simple syrup) in the Russian style. For the non-adventurous, a variety of sugar cubes, packets and rock sugar is also provided.
Individual pots of our steeping teas are delivered. Reminder to remove your tea bag after a minute or two to prevent a bitter brew, unless you order an herbal tisane.
Aside from a Lotus Green tea, the children have a caffeine-free tea selection of Raspberry Zinger, Mint Verbena, Rooibos Chai, Ginger Tea or Chamomile. Two of the kids could not resist the alternative: The Russian Tea Room’s Signature Hot Chocolate served with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
The top tier of the Royal Afternoon Tea tray features Caviars on Blinis (mini pancakes): Siberian Osetra, Russian Osetra, Hackleback and Paddlefish.
While the tea sandwich fillings are creative, their flavors are a bit diminished by hearty bread slices. Sandwich selection includes curried chicken salad with raisins and pecans, shrimp salad with rémoulade, smoked Scottish salmon with chive cream cheese, artichoke with red pepper and a sun-dried tomato goat cheese, turkey with truffle croque monsieur, N.Y. smoked sturgeon with dill and sour cream, Roquefort bleu cheese and apples with walnuts.
The Children’s Tea’s “carousel” includes PB&J on Blini, Grilled Trio of Cheeses, Little Pig-in-a-Blanket, Miniature BLT, Cucumber with Chive Cream Cheese, Classic Tuna Fish and Chopped Egg Salad.
Here the cupcakes and chocolate chip scones are just the right amount of soft, moist and not-too-sweet. Dessert includes chocolate truffles, red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting and vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.
The Children’s Tea includes chocolate chip scone, rainbow sprinkled red velvet cupcake, chocolate mousse and apples slices with caramel dip.
Coat check on the lower level is opposite a collection of Russian-themed gifts for purchase.
Compared to other tea rooms previously reviewed here at DT, the Russian Tea Room’s tea sandwiches appear to be more bread than the wonderfully described fillings. I would expect more generous portions at such a historic establishment, especially at that price point.
Certainly the sandwich selection was generous, which we could have appreciated better with a more equitable filling-to-bread ratio. Good to hear from you as always, Marie!
I’m sure if I were served what is shown in your pictures for that price, I would be quite disappointed. It seems as though “The Russian Tea Room” is gliding along on their name and people’s desire to dine at an iconic spot. Judging from those pictures, I would venture to say, a better tea experience is available at many or almost any other tea room in NYC.
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Compared to other tea rooms previously reviewed here at DT, the Russian Tea Room’s tea sandwiches appear to be more bread than the wonderfully described fillings. I would expect more generous portions at such a historic establishment, especially at that price point.
Certainly the sandwich selection was generous, which we could have appreciated better with a more equitable filling-to-bread ratio. Good to hear from you as always, Marie!
I’m sure if I were served what is shown in your pictures for that price, I would be quite disappointed. It seems as though “The Russian Tea Room” is gliding along on their name and people’s desire to dine at an iconic spot. Judging from those pictures, I would venture to say, a better tea experience is available at many or almost any other tea room in NYC.